A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
Updated September 3, 2009
Trail Notices
The Rum Creek bridge at 7km has been removed for the season. Please exercise extreme caution if crossing.
Park Rangers have now cut through avalanche debris at Rum Creek and Little Peters Camp, and windfall has been cut to Big Peters Camp. The entire maintained trail system (does not include routes) has now been cut out. All sections are in good condition with the exception of Rum Creek and 100m near Little Peters Camp where avalanche debris may make the trail surface unstable – use caution in these areas.
Temporary Bridges have been installed across Rum Creek and minor repairs were conducted to the bridge over Peters Creek. Please exercise extreme caution when crossing these bridges as changing conditions may cause destabilization.
Monashee Provincial Park protects substantial stands of old growth cedar, spruce and hemlock. Lush green forests grace the valley bottoms and, in the spring, alpine meadows blossom with a colourful array of wildflowers. The park is also known for some of the oldest rock formations in western Canada. Peters and Margie Lakes sparkle beneath 2697 metre high Mount. Fosthall, the highest peak in the park and part of the rugged Monashee Range of snow-capped peaks that surround the park. Lucky visitors may get a glimpse of the rare mountain caribou or wolverine or the much more common mule deer, ground squirrels and pikas. This undeveloped mountain wilderness is a wonderful adventure for both experienced, backcountry hikers and willing beginners alike.
Park Size: 22,722 hectares
Special Notes:
Dogs are not permitted in this park.
Fires are not permitted outside of the Spectrum Lake campground.
General Visitor Information
Campers must be prepared for extreme weather changes while camping and hiking in the sub-alpine areas of the park. Even in mid-August, subzero temperatures are common.
111 km north of Vernon. Take hwy #97 to Vernon, then go east on Hwy #6 from Vernon for 47 km, through Lumby to Cherryville. Turn north onto Sugar Lake Road and proceed 46 km until you reach the turnoff (km marker #22) to the park. Proceed on Spectrum Creek Road for 16 km to the park.
Nature & Culture
Conservation - The Monashee's peaks reach elevations of 3000 metres and the bases are cloaked in dense vegetation. Hiking the low elevations can be difficult, as the forest floor is comprised of clusters of devil's club and nettles, but rewarding with groves of old-growth cedar, spruce and hemlock. Traversing upward, the distinctive alpine region unfolds with an array of wildflowers, heathers, mosses and lichens.
The Protected Area protects flood plain to alpine. It also protects critical habitat of caribou and ensures continuance of their migration corridors. The area around Rainbow Falls and the riparian zone along a section of the upper Shuswap River are also protected.
Wildlife - The cool summer temperatures and abundant vegetation provide ideal habitat a variety of wildlife. The park is home to one red-listed bird species, the Northern Goshawk, and two red-listed mammals, the wolverine and mountain caribou. As well as endangered species, the area also boasts moose, mule deer, mountain goat, marten, cougar, black bear, blue-listed grizzly bear and Townsend's big-eared bat.
Mount Fosthall and Slate Mountain offer climbing/scrambling opportunities
Fishing
Visitors can enjoy fishing for rainbow trout. Peters Lake has numerous fish though they are generally smaller than those found in Spectrum Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
This undeveloped mountain wilderness is a wonderful adventure for experienced, backcountry hikers. There are also trails for the willing beginner. Click here for trail information. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is permitted
Wildlife Viewing
There are two viewing platforms at Rainbow Falls. One is found extended out over Spectrum Creek just downstream from the falls to give visitors a beautiful, unobstructed view of the entire falls. The second platform is perched on the rocks nearer the falls bringing the visitor closer to the enormous power of the rushing water. Spray from the falls drifts over both platforms to feed the mossy forest below. The platforms may be slippery if wet.
Lucky visitors may get a glimpse of the rare mountain caribou or wolverine or the much more common mule deer, ground squirrels and pikas.
Facilities Available At This Park
Campfires
Campfires are permitted within fire rings at Spectrum Lake campground only. Bring a portable stove for cooking. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings.
Group Camping
A group campsite is found roughly 100m further along the Spectrum lakeshore on the northeast side of the lake. There is a large, covered picnic table shelter offering a place to keep dry, though it does not have a stove. There are four double tent pads nearby as well as a pit toilet and two taps. Use of these facilities is on a first-come, first-serve basis; reservations are not accepted. This area is also in a thick cedar forest with a meandering stream running through.
Picnic Areas
This park has a day-use/picnic area at Rainbow Falls. There is a 15 car gravel parking lot with one pit toilet and an information shelter beside the trail to Spectrum Lake. The other trail leaving the parking lot is a steep, well defined trail that leads down to the falls. Wet areas are covered with boardwalk and footbridges. There are no picnic tables at the falls or in the parking lot. There are two wooden viewing platforms below the falls offering a spectacular view.
Pit or Flush Toilets
There are three pit toilets at the main Spectrum Lake campground, one at the Spectrum group site, one pit toilet at the Peters Lake campground and one at the trailhead.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Backcountry camping is available in two areas. The park is open year round if accessible and there are no fees.
Spectrum Lake is the main camping area located 6 km from the Spectrum Creek trailhead. There are 16 sites are spread out along the lakeshore and up the slope towards the Ranger Cabin. Each site has a ten foot by ten foot wooden tent platform, fire ring and picnic table. Most of the sites along the lake also have a small wooden shelter with cedar shake roof over the picnic table. Cedar, hemlock and Douglas fir are found throughout the camping area offering plenty of shade and providing a backcountry experience for novice hikers. The understory is sparse, with most of the ground carpeted by moss. A metal food cache pole is located at each end of the campground. They are 20 feet high with cables attached for stringing up food and backpacks.
Big Peters Lake is the other camping area located 15 km from the Spectrum Creek trailhead. It is more rustic than Spectrum Lake. There are 10 tent platforms spread out amongst the trees on the southern end of the lake. The terrain is mostly open meadows and wetlands broken up hummocks of land covered by Engelmann spruce and sub-alpine fir. There is a metal food cache box but no taps, fire rings, picnic tables.or shelters. There are fantastic views down the length of the lake to Slate Mountain.
There are no facilities at Margie Lake, though there has been use at the north east end of the lake.
